Obs. Forms: 4, 8 Sc. truf, 5–7 truffe, (6 Sc. pl. trufis), 7–8 truff. [a. F. truffe a truffle (1370 in Godef., Compl.), in OF. also figuratively trufe a cozening, cheating, etc. (1265 in Godef.) in which sense it is first recorded in English: see TRUFFLE.]
1. An idle tale or jest. Cf. TRIFLE sb. 1.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 272 b/1. In the same errour Austyn fylle … and was broughte to byleue the truffes and Iapes.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., VII. 440. The Scottis in despyte of ye Englysh men,… and also to theyr more derysyon made dyuerse truffys, roundys, & songys.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VIII. Prol. 170. Than wol I tene at I tuk to sic trufis [ed. 1553 truffuris] tent.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xii. § 29. Playing vpon the English with Truffes and Rounds.
2. A truffle. rare.
1633. Hart, Diet Diseased, I. xiii. 47. Those roots, commonly called Puffes, or Truffes.
1669. Phil. Trans., IV. 1013. Other odd things in Nature, as Truffs, Mushroms.
1672. Evelyn, Fr. Gard., 260. Concerning Morilles and Truffs.
